Friday, October 4, 2013

Update 11 a.m.The Post-Dispatchreports that Albert Pujols filed a lawsuit against Jack Clark Friday morning. The suit does not name the radio station or insideStl Enterprises as defendants. The suit seeks various damages but doesn't define a specific dollar amount. It also asks for a determination and declaration that the statements made by Clark are false.

Original Post:It's been a over a month since we last heard any updates on former Cardinals slugger Jack Clark's infamous August radio broadcast in which he claimed to know "for a fact" that Albert Pujols has used performance enhancing drugs. The allegations were related to Pujols relationship with long-time trainer Chris Mihlfeld, who was embroiled in his own PED scandal in 2006.

The resulting brouhaha pushed insideSTL Enterprises LLC to cancel the show, but it appears that the effects of Pujols' threatened legal action didn't end there.

"insideSTL Enterprises publicly retracts the allegations of PED use by Albert Pujols made on the station recently. We regret that these statements were made," reads a statement posted on the CBS Sports Radio 920 website.

insideSTL Enterprises publicly retracts the allegations of PED use by Albert Pujols made on the station recently. We regret that these statements were made. To the extent that our transmission and broadcast of these statements was perceived by anyone as indicating support for, or validation of, those allegations, we emphasize that we had no advance knowledge of the allegations, we did not make them, we know of no proof or evidence to substantiate them, and we disavow and retract them.

We believe that Albert Pujols is a man of principle, faith, and character. We sincerely apologize to Albert Pujols, and his wife and family, for any damage this situation may have caused them, and we assure them that insideSTL has tremendous respect for the person he is, both on and off the field.

Clark's August 9 broadcast proved to be his last, as insideSTL cancelled the brand-new sports talk radio show on WGNU (920 AM), ending not only Clark's contract but also that of his co-host, Kevin Slaten -- a broadcaster with his own storied relationship with controversy.

"I've been tested hundreds of times throughout my career and never once have I tested positive. It is irresponsible and reckless for Jack Clark to have falsely accused me of using PED's...I am currently in the process of taking legal action against Jack Clark and his employers at WGNU 920 AM. I am going to send a message that you cannot act in a reckless manner, like they have, and get away with it.

This isn't the first time insideSTL has tried apologizing to Pujols. Back on August 12, insideSTL cheif Tim McKernan issued his own statement on his show Morning After.